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Bernard Aylward

Bernard Aylward is chief executive officer of Kodal Minerals, an Aim-listed mineral exploration and development company focused on the Bougouni lithium project in southern Mali. He leads the company's operations through Kodal Mining UK, a joint venture in which Kodal holds a 49% stake alongside majority partner Hainan Mining, which retains a 51% controlling interest and acts as offtake partner for the project's spodumene concentrate. Aylward has overseen Bougouni's development from construction, which began in mid-2024, through first production of spodumene concentrate in February 2025, to the start of regular export shipments to Hainan's refinery in China via the Port of San Pedro, in Côte d'Ivoire, from late 2025. He regularly reports on quarterly production results, shipment schedules and revenue generation from the project, as well as on operational matters including processing plant performance, openpit mining progress at Ngoualana and plans for the Phase 2 flotation plant expansion. Aylward has also addressed security and community matters affecting the project, including confirming that Bougouni's operations remained unaffected by unrest elsewhere in Mali in 2026. He has credited the project's achievements to collaboration with Hainan Mining, the Malian government and local stakeholders, and highlighted the project's significance as one of Mali's first producing lithium mines and a contributor to the country's developing "white gold" sector.

Bernard Aylward News


Kodal CEO Bernard Aylward
Kodal to explore Ghana lithium project
19th October 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has entered into a binding agreement with Ghanaian mining consultancy GH Geo-Consult Limited (GGCL) in relation to the Asamankese lithium project, in Ghana. Under the... 


Bernard Aylward
Kodal monitoring Bougouni processing plant improvements following lower Q2 output
17th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has reported that the spodumene production result for the second quarter ended June 30 was below management’s budget, mainly owing to maintenance and breakdown issues with... 


Location map of the Bougouni project
Bougouni lithium project, Mali – update
8th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project remains unaffected by recent security incidents and unrest in parts of Mali. 


Bernard Aylward
Kodal continues operations in Mali, maintains project interest
5th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has reported that, following recent security incidents and unrest in parts of Mali, the Bougoini lithium project remains unaffected, with operations continuing as usual.... 


An image of Kodal CEO Bernard Aylward
Kodal reports good progress at Bougouni
14th April 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has produced 26 981 t of spodumene concentrate, grading 5.28% lithium oxide, from its joint-owned Bougouni lithium project, in Mali, for the three months ended March 31.... 


An image of Kodal Minerals CEO Bernard Aylward
First shipment from Kodal’s Bougouni project departs San Pedro port
1st December 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Kodal Minerals’ maiden shipment of 28 950 t of lithium spodumene concentrate (vessel capacity) has completed loading onto a dedicated bulk cargo vessel at the Port of San Pedro, in Côte... 


Kodal CEO Bernard Aylward
Mali President, dignitaries officiate Bougouni lithium project launch
4th November 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has announced the official opening of the Stage 1 Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali, by Mali President General Assimi Goïta in a ceremony held on November 3. The... 


 Bougouni DMS plant
Bougouni lithium project, Mali – update
24th October 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

The first truckloads of lithium spodumene concentrate have left the Bougouni project. 


An image of Kodal Minerals CEO Bernard Aylward
First truckloads of concentrate departs from Kodal’s Mali project
20th October 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The first truckloads of lithium spodumene concentrate have left Aim-listed Kodal Minerals’ Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali, and are completing final customs formalities before being... 


Kodal CEO Bernard Aylward
Kodal receives export permit for Bougouni lithium project
4th September 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has received the export permit for the spodumene concentrate produced at its Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali, for an initial 125 000 t of spodumene concentrate,... 


Site map of the Bougouni project
Bougouni lithium project, Mali – update
15th August 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

Large stockpiles of spodumene concentrate are mounting on site. 


Kodal's Bougouni mine site
Kodal readies Bougouni site for first exports of stockpiled spodumene concentrate
6th August 2025 By: Marleny Arnoldi

While Aim-listed Kodal Minerals continues to finalise the requirements for an export permit in Mali, large stockpiles of spodumene concentrate are mounting on site at its Bougouni lithium project.... 


Kodal signs offtake agreement for Bougouni concentrate
30th June 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

London-listed Kodal Minerals has signed an offtake agreement for the spodumene concentrate produced by the Stage 1 dense media separation (DMS) processing plant at its Bougouni lithium project, in... 


Kodal cites positive relationship with Mali govt as it awaits export permit
19th May 2025 By: Darren Parker

Mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals has criticised recent media reports for inaccurately suggesting that exports of spodumene concentrate from its flagship Bougouni lithium... 


Kodal says Mali lithium exports blocked due to permit delays
15th May 2025 By: Reuters

Regulatory hurdles in Mali have left British miner Kodal Minerals unable to export more than 20,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate, its chief executive Bernard Aylward told Reuters. Kodal's... 


Hainan provides up to $15m loan facility for Kodal’s Bougouni project
2nd May 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

Mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals says Hong Kong Xinmao Investment (HKXI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hainan Mining Co, has entered into a loan agreement with Kodal... 


Kodal produces first spodumene concentrate at Mali project
11th February 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals has produced the first spodumene concentrate at its flagship, fully-funded Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali. This was achieved... 


Power plant comes online at Kodal’s Bougouni lithium project
20th January 2025 By: Darren Parker

The power generation plant at London-listed Kodal Minerals’ flagship Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali, is now operational, paving the way for full commissioning of the Stage 1 dense media... 


An aerial image of the mine site
Mali miner progresses plant build
22nd November 2024

Civil construction of a Stage 1 dense media separation (DMS) plant has been progressed to 90% completion at critical metals miner Kodal Minerals’ flagship fully-funded Bougouni lithium project, in... 


Kodal disagrees with Hainan statement related to MoU in Mali
5th November 2024 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Following an announcement by Hainan Mining related to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Mali government, Hainan and Aim-listed Kodal Minerals’ jointly owned subsidiary Kodal... 


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